Bone China Tea
2010 - 2011 Season

Bone China Teas range from intimate gatherings hosted in individuals' homes to formal, high teas held in public venues.

Hosts across the country invite guests to attend a tea, discover what they can do to take care of their bones and donate to Osteoporosis Canada. Guests enjoy an elegant tradition while increasing their awareness and sharing information about this debilitating disease.

History of the Bone China Tea Program

During Osteoporosis Awareness Month, November 1996, Osteoporosis Canada launched Maureen McTeer, prominent health policy advocate, as its spokesperson at "A Bone China Tea" in four centres across Canada. These events were highly successful in raising awareness about osteoporosis. "A Bone China Tea" continued as a national program in November 1997, with ten teas held across the country with Ms. McTeer. Since that time, "The Bone China Tea" has become the signature event for Osteoporosis Canada.

Bone China Tea Objectives:

1. Increase awareness of osteoporosis
2. Increase the profile of Osteoporosis Canada
3. Raise funds to support Osteoporosis Canada in its mission to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Realizing that not everyone wants to or can hold a large Bone China Tea, the Bone China program has been divided into two levels.  These 2 levels are based on the number of people attending, the size and scope of the event.   The largest and most formal are the Bone China Teas and the Intimate Teas are smaller, usually less formal affairs.  The following are characteristics and expectations of each tea category:

Bone China Tea:

• Keynote events hosted by Chapters of Osteoporosis Canada
• Held during Osteoporosis Month (November) and throughout the year
• 100-500 Guests
• Held in urban and suburban areas
• Community events
• Key locations such as hotels, community centres and local halls
• Keynote Host (TV/Radio personality, local politician, key community member)
• Keynote Speaker (local health care professional)
• Generates national and/or local media attention and awareness
• Primary audience is women
• Secondary audience is key community members and local dignitaries

For more information on the Bone China Teas .

Intimate Teas:

• Held in private homes or smaller venues
• Held throughout the year
• May or may not have a guest speaker
• 5-100 guests

For more information on the Intimate Teas .

Interested in attending a Bone China Tea?
Bone China Tea events take place throughout the year in many towns/cities across the country. Local organizers of each event send out invitations prior to their event. If you have not received an invitation and are interested in attending a Bone China Tea, click here for a complete list of upcoming events. Please contact the National Office (416) 696-2663 or 1-800-463-6842 if you would like to be added to an invite list.  You may also refer to our Calendar of Events .

Interested in Hosting a Bone China or Intimate Tea?
We encourage anyone who is interested in hosting a Tea in their area to review the appropriate information guide.  Once you have determined you would like to proceed in hosting the event you can register and order your Host Kit (please try to do so at least 6 weeks before your event) by completing the online registration form. Completed forms may also be faxed to (416) 696-2673 Attention: Katherine Boyce

We would also like to thank Caltrate, AMGEN, and The Alliance for Better Bone Health for their generous support of the Bone China Tea program.

If your organization would like to sponsor this national event, please contact Amelia Luk or call (416) 696-2663 / 1-800-463-6842 ext. 260.